Question:
How do I complete the cycle of what to do with my old machine and protecting the personal data which is left on it?

You have purchased a new machine and migrated your data to your new machine. The new machine has all of your old data, you feel right at home and now you turn to the dilemma of what to do with the old machine?

You can keep it and continue to use it under your control. Many people choose to sell it; e-bay has a strong market place with many machines available. Many donate it, which you can use as a tax deduction or gift it to a family friend or relative for their purposes.

The concern is that you have been told that a computer expert has the ability to take all of your confidential records, banking information, on-line bill paying, Internet shopping etc. and use this information for not the most honorable of reasons. It would be equivalent to leaving your wallet on the street and hoping some Samaritan would return it to you. This is true, digital footprints have been placed all over your machine that people could use against you. Erasing files does not remove this data for a computer professional. How do you protect this information?

Answer:
There are 2 solutions:
1. Detto Technologies now offers a new product called, Privacy Expert.

The Privacy Expert software allows you to systematically select critical data and remove it by location and different destruction standards:

National data destruction standards
· American: DoD 5220.22-M
· American: NAVSO P-5239-26 (RLL)
· American: NAVSO P-5239-26 (MFM)
· German: VSITR
· Russian: GOST P50739-95
· Peter Gutmann's algorithm
· Bruce Schneier's algorithm
Supported Operating Systems
Microsoft® Windows® 95B or higher, 98, Millennium, NT (including server), 2000 (including Server and Advanced Server)
XP, 2003 Server operating system installed.
System Requirements
· PC-compatible computer with Pentium CPU
· 32 MB RAM
· VGA monitor
· Mouse

2. Detto Technologies also offer a comprehensive product suite called - The PC Replacement Suite!
We have looked at the life cycle of computer ownership and tried to address these problems with a simple all-inclusive product that will allow you peace of mind. The Suite includes IntelliMover, for migration, Privacy expert to remove and eliminate any confidential data that would identify how your machine was used for personal business or consumer use, and Back Trak which will allow you to back-up critical data, ensuring you keep a controlled data copy in the event of a system loss. These products work together to provide a single solution and have been tested and endorsed by a name you know and trust, Detto Technologies. We also have included a link below to a review that includes more details on the suite.

Product web page:
http://www.detto.com/PCReplacementSuite/

Recent Product Review:
http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/AnchorDesk/4520-7298_16-5114407.html?tag=adts.